Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking to help ensure the effective prosecution of rural crime.
Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Criminals should never be left to destroy countryside for their own gain.
The CPS works closely with law enforcement partners to prosecute and deter environmental offending and will hold those who perpetrate it to account.
In March, the government published its Waste Crime Action Plan, which we are bolstering with further measures to tackle organised criminal gangs operating illegal waste dumping sites.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what evidence his Department has collected on the potential impact of the 2026 reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on investment and employment decisions by family-owned farming and rural businesses; and if he will publish that evidence.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief were introduced on 6 April 2026. The Government continues to provide significant relief from inheritance tax for agricultural and business assets. A couple are able to pass on up to £5 million of such assets tax-free between them, on top of the existing allowances such as the nil-rate band.
The published tax information and impact note is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-changes.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what quantitative assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the 2026 reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on business investment, employment, and business growth; and whether he will publish that assessment.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief were introduced on 6 April 2026. The Government continues to provide significant relief from inheritance tax for agricultural and business assets. A couple are able to pass on up to £5 million of such assets tax-free between them, on top of the existing allowances such as the nil-rate band.
The published tax information and impact note is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-changes.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department assessed the potential health impacts of aircraft noise between 5,000 and 7,000 feet before lowering the noise altitude threshold from 7k to 5k in the Air Navigation Guidance 2026.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government consulted on changes to the Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance from 25 November 2025 to 26 January 2026 and a draft impact assessment was published alongside the consultation. Responses to the consultation were carefully considered before finalising the proposals and on 10 August 2026 the government published updated Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance. A consultation response document was published alongside this which summarised the responses received, how the government had considered the evidence presented and the changes made as a result. An updated Impact assessment was published on the same date.
The consultation response included how the government had analysed responses relating to how to balance minimising noise impacts and reducing Greenhouse gas emissions in airspace design.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations her Department received on the altitude threshold in the Air Navigation Guidance 2026 from (a) airport operators, (b) airlines and (c) local authorities and community organisations.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government consulted on changes to the Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance from 25 November 2025 to 26 January 2026 and a draft impact assessment was published alongside the consultation. Responses to the consultation were carefully considered before finalising the proposals and on 10 August 2026 the government published updated Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance. A consultation response document was published alongside this which summarised the responses received, how the government had considered the evidence presented and the changes made as a result. An updated Impact assessment was published on the same date.
The consultation response included how the government had analysed responses relating to how to balance minimising noise impacts and reducing Greenhouse gas emissions in airspace design.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether an impact assessment was undertaken prior to changes in the Air Navigation Guidance 2026.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government consulted on changes to the Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance from 25 November 2025 to 26 January 2026 and a draft impact assessment was published alongside the consultation. Responses to the consultation were carefully considered before finalising the proposals and on 10 August 2026 the government published updated Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance. A consultation response document was published alongside this which summarised the responses received, how the government had considered the evidence presented and the changes made as a result. An updated Impact assessment was published on the same date.
The consultation response included how the government had analysed responses relating to how to balance minimising noise impacts and reducing Greenhouse gas emissions in airspace design.
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 118609 on Private Education: VAT, whether he plans to publish at the Autumn Budget the outturn VAT receipts from private school fees for (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The measure introducing VAT on private schools was estimated to raise £460 million in 2024-25 and £1,505 million in 2025-26. HMRC does not publish outturn VAT receipts relating to specific policy changes. The modelling of the Exchequer impact has, however, been updated in the light of further data. The Office for Budget Responsibility revised up the estimate of the revenue by an average of £40 million per year for their Autumn 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook, and stated that they will continue to monitor trends in the data. Any further updates will be published in the usual way.